Chapter 24 twenty four

She threw the newspaper into the trash can at the Ropsden subway station, then took out another twenty-crown note from her baby purse, and obediently paid for the subway ticket.She dared not evade the fare for fear that others would notice her.Standing on the platform waiting for the Lidingo-bound metro train, she thought solemnly: So far, she's spent more in one day in Stockholm than she's spent in all her travels in the past fifteen years. It was half past twelve, and there were very few passengers in the subway.She examines her reflection in the window pane, and it looks so eerie!This style is bound to buy her a little more time, and maybe she will be able to find a way to face all this.First, she has to claim the money in the mailbox, then put the money she spent back into the deposit.They cannot take away her hope.

That's her email address! oh!damn it! This insight seemed to send a high-voltage current through her body: how could she be so stupid that the police had now obtained her mailbox number? At this moment, she was just happily swaying into a trap.The police probably knew of a certain point of her existence.Her name was attached to that mailbox, and of course they had found the only place where her name was registered. As soon as she saw her loss, a fierce anger was kindled inside her.So, will she never be able to claim that money again?She clenched her fist unknowingly, feeling the anguish in her heart recede, replaced by contempt.They wouldn't treat her like this!If she was a decent human being, following social norms, they would never have treated her like this.She will never demand anything from society, and at this moment, she is not prepared to do so.

She can accept so much shit being poured on her, but from now on, stop treating her like this, now she will stand up and fight. Thomas lives on a small boat docked at the Malar pier on Langholm Island.She got off at Hoimstull and crossed Palsund Bidge. Thomas was the only person she could trust and turn to.Ten years ago, before Thomas inherited the houseboat, the two lived together in a trailer parked in the Lugnet industrial estate.Sometimes, the police would knock on the door with a search warrant and ask them to move somewhere else. Each time they would pull the trailer for a few meters and then settle down again, waiting for the next time the police asked them to move.

On the whole, they lived fairly peacefully.There was no question of whether they were in love with each other, but both needed the warmth and companionship of humanity that they had to give to each other, and at the time, that was enough. She hadn't been there in years and couldn't find Thomas' boat at first, so she walked back along the pier and finally found the houseboat parked next to a protectively painted navy coat of arms.Parking space must be hard to find. As she unloaded her rucksack and leaned against a pile of wooden pallets to keep it out of the water, she suddenly became suspicious of Thomas, who was no longer a trustworthy friend every time he got drunk, and now , she still has several scars on her body to prove it.She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and rekindled that fighting spirit.

She looked around, but the pier was empty. Thomas! Thomas!It's me, Sybylla! A head suddenly appeared above the railing of the navy ship.Thomas has grown a goatee and is almost unrecognizable.His expression was puzzled at first, then suddenly broke into a broad smile. God!It's you!Haven't they locked you up yet? She had to smile back at him. are you alone? certainly. She knew him too well to know that he was not drunk at this time. May I come inside? He didn't answer right away, just continued to look at her and smile. So will I be safe? stop talking!You know I didn't do it.

That smile just got bigger. That's fine.Door opening strategy: Just leave all sharp objects on the dock. The face was gone again.Thomas was a real friend, maybe her only friend.At this moment, this is more important than anything else. He opened the hatch, and she handed him the rucksack down, and started down the ladder.The space that was originally the cabin may not have been cleaned in this century. It can be used not only as a residence, but also as a joinery studio.Everything was covered with sawdust and pieces of sawn wood, and it was certain that he had no current resident.Very good!

He followed her gaze as she surveyed the room. I think it looks exactly the same as the last time you were here. Not at all!It was neat and orderly last time. He smiled and walked over to start the coffee pot.In the corner that could be called the kitchen there was a dining table, three odd chairs, a refrigerator, and a microwave.No empty wine bottles in sight, another good sign. Would you like a drink? She nodded and watched as he poured the old coffee into the wastebasket, the inside of the coffee pot covered with a dark film.She found the sturdiest looking chair and sat down, watching Thomas fill the coffee pot from a large plastic bottle.

What kind of shit are you here for? She sighed. You tell me!I wish I knew. He turned to look at her. Why is your hair like this? She didn't respond.He pointed to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet standing in the trash can. The hairstyle looks better in that photo. Then he dumped the old contents of the filter into the trash can, absently dropping some scum on the floor. You probably don't want to know, but I don't know if you'd like to do something for me. What is it?Want me to provide you with an alibi? All of a sudden, she was angry with him, and put on a joke even though it was clearly because he was nervous.She knew it well, but this time, she didn't find it humorous at all.

stop talking!I was in the Grand Hotel, that's true, but you know very well why I couldn't easily explain to the police what I was doing there. He sat down across from her. The coffee pot started to spray behind him, the first few drops falling into the dark interior of the pot.He must have heard the change in her tone, for he was suddenly serious. Want to spend the night in that hotel, don't you? She nodded.He pointed to the newspaper in the trash can: And that guy is the one who paid?It's that kind of thing, right? She nodded again. God!What a shame.What about the Westwick story?

She leaned back and closed her eyes. Completely puzzled.I've never been to Westwick in my life.Honestly, I'm at a loss. She met his eyes, and he shook his head. Damn bad luck. Exactly! He began to scratch at his goatee, still shaking his head slowly. Of course, I understand.So, what do you want me to do for you? Go and get the money my mother gave me.I dare not show up near my mailbox. During the years of living together in the trailer, he used to help her spend the money happily.He stands up to get his coffee, grabbing a mug as he walks over.The handle of the mug was torn, and the mug had obviously not been washed since it was first used.

Have you eaten today? without. There's cheese and bread in the fridge, take it yourself! She stood up, even if she wasn't hungry, but it would be foolish to miss the opportunity to eat.She came back with bread and cheese and he had filled her cup of coffee.He's scratching at his goatee again. Thomas, you know I don't ask if I don't have to.Without that money, I would be broke. All right!I'll see what I can do to help.Then I'll go there and give it a try, for old friendship's sake. Their eyes met again.As long as he remained sober, his friendship was precious to her.He was her only secure connection to the outside world, but if he started drinking, he would demand something in return. For the sake of old friendship.